The trip started with a bit slow (very slowly for some of our luggage which took 3 days to arrive). We were first timers to Tamboti and requested tent 40 after reading all the good reviews and were not disappointed.

On our first night we lighted the braai and quickly found we had company…..

The whole clan decided to have a nap next to our braai, clearly hoping for some freebies before heading out in to the bush. We got woken up on by their return trip in the early hours. The local pair of honey badgers visited us every night. I did try to take a photo one night but in my half-awake state I forgot to take off the lens cap. We found various other interesting bits around camp...

The game in the surrounding area was pretty quiet this time and the H7 did not produce and of the great cat sightings we experience on our previous trip but plenty of elephants in the area this time around.

We did find a car that was feeling lucky……

We spent a lot of time at Nsemani Dam and had fun photographing the local fish eagle

We left Tamboti and decided to drive to Leeupan before checking into Satara.

Shortly after Nkaya Pan we found a leopard in the road that appears to have been hit by a car:

It was so sad to see. I can’t be 100% sure that it was a car’s doing but it did have that feel about it. Either way he was not in a good state and was hardly breathing. We headed south and found some very jumpy zebra’s which made for some fun photos.

At Leeupan an elephant herd of 30+ came for a drink and play

After around 20 minutes we decided to leave and head back up to Satara. We soon got stopped by a herd of 30+ elephants – I assume the same herd as at Leeupan – as they were all crossing the road. We waited patiently for them to cross but did burst into hysterics as one juvenile stepped on his own trunk whilst crossing the road and nearly fell face down! Very funny!

We were also stopped by a tortoise crossing the road at his own pace.

On our evening drive we headed along the H6 and found a bit of a traffic jam for three lions sleeping the afternoon away.

Here is a video of the jumpy zebra’s above….[video]http://youtu.be/0q6JjXkqZA0[/video]

Once back at camp we got ourselves a drink and sat on a bench by the perimeter fence. After only around 5 minutes a spotted hyena walked past. It walked along the fence line and then went and smelt a nearby bush. Something jumped out …..

The hyena and wild cat did not seem to mind each other as the hyena carried on walking along the fence line whilst the wild cat just sat near to the bush it was originally hiding in.

The next day we saw plenty of general game but noting that got the heart rate going. The best sighting was of some Buffalo….

We also found two male lions pursuing a female on the H1-4

and some baboons in the late afternoon sun

So far predator sightings have been limited. We have also had few sightings with interaction or interesting behaviour but that is all about to change…..

5.30am we left Satara and drove south down the H1-3 toward Lower Sabie.

Along the H1-3 we spotted impala, elephant, giraffes, warthogs, as well as a cooperative kudu

Not much further along we spotted 7+ lionesses and cubs walking along the road. We followed them for a few minutes before they stopped in the road.

They then changed their direction and headed off into the river bed. Luckily, the S126 followed the river so we could continue to follow them. Two lionesses then went into hunting mode with all the cubs keeping well back.

[video]http://youtu.be/CihGyCLQYN0[/video]

I was amazed that with all those eyes, ears and noses none of the Zebra’s spotted them. Unfortunately they could not find any cover been them and the Zebras and eventually they disappeared back into the riverbed. We had 3 more lion sightings as we heeded south along the H1-3. All on or next to the road.

We carried on driving south and about 3km north of Tshokwane Picnic Spot we found these guys next to the road

They made 3 hunting attempts while we watched them but they got less and less serious as the day went on.

[video]http://youtu.be/-6EaAXgx2nQ[/video]

As the below scene unfolded I had this video running through my head

[video]http://youtu.be/JMJXvsCLu6s[/video]

[video]http://youtu.be/4jZTK8-8emE[/video]

I was amazed that the zebra did not see the lion but how the wildebeest did not see the cheetah I will never know.

Eventually some baboons turned up and chased them to the other side of the road.